The Supreme Court on 13 July sought a detailed status report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate allegations of embezzlement of donations made to the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The Court also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust while hearing a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation, including a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana passed the directions after hearing multiple public interest petitions raising concerns over alleged financial irregularities in the handling of temple donations.
Supreme Court Calls for SIT Report
At the outset of the hearing, the Bench directed the Uttar Pradesh SIT to place its status report before the Court. The report will also disclose the composition of the investigating team.
Issuing notice in the matter, the Bench said,
"Issue notice. We direct the SIT constituted by the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report before this Court. The SIT shall also mention its composition."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India and the State of Uttar Pradesh, informed the Court that the status report would be filed in a sealed cover. The Court also clarified that the report need not be shared with the petitioners at this stage since the investigation is still underway.
The matter is expected to be taken up again after the State files its report.
Background of the Petitions
The Court heard several petitions together, all seeking independent scrutiny of the alleged diversion and misappropriation of donations collected for the construction and management of the Ram Temple.
One petition, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, argued that the allegations involve complex financial transactions requiring an independent agency with forensic expertise. The plea contended that although the State SIT is conducting an inquiry, it began without registration of an FIR and may lack the infrastructure necessary for a comprehensive financial investigation.
The petitioners also sought directions to preserve physical and electronic evidence, including donation registers, ledgers, bank records, CCTV footage and digital databases.
Another petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Sudhakar Singh requested transfer of the investigation to the CBI under the Supreme Court's supervision. It further sought publication of audited financial statements, donation details and fund utilisation records by the Trust, while protecting the privacy of individual donors.
Separate petitions also sought a forensic audit of the Trust's finances and greater transparency regarding donations, including digital payments and other contributions.
Court Declines Immediate Disclosure of Investigation Material
During the hearing, counsel appearing for one of the petitioners highlighted the need to preserve electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and digital records.
The Bench acknowledged the concern but declined the request to immediately provide the SIT's report to the petitioners.
When the petitioners requested access to the status report, Chief Justice Surya Kant observed,
"We will see later. It's an ongoing investigation."
The Court also refused the Solicitor General's request to defer issuance of notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, allowing the proceedings to continue against all respondents.
Proceedings Before the Bench
At one stage, counsel appearing for a petitioner submitted that electronic evidence required urgent protection because the investigation had already commenced.
Referring to the arguments made before the Court, Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked,
"Please preserve your energy. It will be needed outside,"
before proceeding to issue notices and directing the SIT to file its report.
Decision
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Union of India, the State of Uttar Pradesh and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on the batch of petitions concerning alleged irregularities in Ram Temple donations.
The Court directed the Uttar Pradesh SIT to submit a status report detailing the progress of the investigation and the composition of the investigating team. It also decided that the report would remain confidential at this stage, considering that the investigation is ongoing.
Case Details:
Case Title: Narendra Kumar Goswami v. Union of India & Others; Ajay Kumar Rai & Another v. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust; Sudhakar Singh v. Union of India & Others; Hindu Dharma Parishad v. Union of India & Others (Batch Matters)
Case Number: WP(C) 790/2026; WP(Crl.) 241/2026; WP(Crl.) 256/2026; WP(C) 827/2026
Judge: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
Decision Date: July 13, 2026
-300x169.webp)
